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From Aural Innovations #35 (January 2007)
One thing I've learned from doing Aural Innovations is that there are many interpretations and conceptions of what Space Rock is. The journey and discovery has been pure joy.
So much great and varied kinds of music. But precious little of it seems to be good old rock n rolling Hawkwind inspired Space Rock anymore. Spacehead have long carried that torch and continue to shine it brightly. And while Roadburn 2006 continues the pattern of live releases and compilations, rather than a proper new Spacehead album, it's a welcome CD nonetheless, and shows the band in top concert form, performing at the 11th annual Roadburn festival in the Netherlands.
This is, as any Spacehead fan might expect, classic ass kicking Space Rock 'n roll.
"Cosmic Man" opens the set and is a heavy driving rocker singing about time travel. Excellent song with some killer guitar bits.
"Fly On the Wall" and "Axis of Evil" are more great songs, the former rocking in space with a tasty metallic edge.
"Copters" is one of the few songs of the set I don't know. Not sure if it was released before or not. But it's easy paced yet very heavy and darkly atmospheric. The alien synths are all over the place, and along with the eerie keyboards and pounding rhythm section makes for a powerfully intense slab of molten hot Space Rock. Outstanding!
"Continuum" is an equally haunting song that rocks hard in metallic space while retaining an atmospheric quality. But when the band takes off, this sucker ROCKS! Great jam sections. An outstanding song with lyrics about traveling through the galaxy to destinations unknown.
"Eclipse" is a floating cosmic instrumental that serves as the perfect lead in to the power rocking,
"Standing On The Edge", one of the truly great Spacehead "songs". If they ever released a singlethis would be it.
The band close the set with a monster version of "Dark Star", one of their earlier songs.
Top it off with a rousing cover of Hawkwind's "Blue Skin" and you've got a steam rolling set of heavy duty SPACE ROCK. Temporary drummer Steve Young, recruited only 6 weeks before the show, really stepped up to the plate and fits in with the band quite comfortably. Buy it directly from band and check out sample songs at their Myspace page. For more information you can visit the Spacehead web site at: http://www.myspace.com/spaceheaduk. Reviewed by Jerry Kranitz
Spacehead - "Live @ Hawkfest 2003"
(Voiceprint 2004, HAWKVP29CD)
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From Aural Innovations #30 (February 2005)
In the absence of a long promised but yet to see the light of day Hawkwind album, the past year has seen the void filled with much satisfacton by such high powered space rock releases as the debut Litmus CD, the long awaited new Krel, and now a document of Spaceheads performance at the Hawkfest 2003 festival. In a nutshell, this is one serious fasten-yer-seatbelts, blast-off into space, holy goddamn shit slab of heavy duty cosmic SPACE ROCK! Mr. Dibs and company get right in our faces with a blazing set of Spacehead favorites and Hawkwind covers. Yesiree, these guys graduated cum laude from the Hawkwind school.
Spacehead open the set with two deliciously long cosmic tracks, "Mechanoid Dream/Dark Star" and "Fyre Dragons/Oriris", both of which soar into the cosmos with heavy rocking, wailing and screaming trip guitars, pounding, throbbing bass, mind melting keys and synths, and intense vocal delivery from Dibs. The band ease the pace but raise the bar for psychedelic intensity on the gripping and ultra hypnotic "Song #23". I could just feel the liquid throb coursing through my body and swirling in my brain on this one. "Continuum" is equally hypnotic but more atmospheric and haunting. Spacehead display their flair for solid songwriting on the excellent "Standing On The Edge Of Time" and "Nucleii". And of course you can't play a Hawkfest without a tip of the hat to the mighty Hawks, which Spacehead do most capably with kick ass covers of "Quark, Strangeness & Charm" and "Choose Your Masques". Wow, not much more to say. If you're a committed space rock fan you should waste no time and grab this right now.
Reviewed by Jerry Kranitz
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Reviews Of 'Explode Into Space'
Aural Innovations#19 (April 2002)
The latest from Spacehead is - like its predecessor In Space We Trust - a collection of unreleased material recorded between 1998-2000. There aren't a lot of musicians involved and Commander Spacehead himself, Mr Dibs, handles most or all of the instruments on several tracks.
The album opens with "Nucleii", a song that has much more of a rock roll feel than anything I've heard from Spachead before. I like it a lot. "Brockstomp" is a trippy cosmic ambient psychedelic tune with soaring, bubbling, and pulsating synths and chanting voices. "Aliens" is similar, but heavy on voice samples that give a live-from-mission-control feel to the uplifting feel of the music.
There's also plenty of classic metallic Spacehead here too. "The Monolith Continuum #" features the trademark Spacehead sound consisting of thundering metallic space rock with a dark gothic atmosphere. At 13 minutes the music jams along a single theme much like early Hawkwind. Bashing power chords, Mr Dibs distinct vocals, and shooting star synths keep the music rolling and a metallic throb serves as a rocking mantra for the brain. "Warriors Of Time" is similar, but didn't grab me nearly as much. On "Repair Your ID", a Dub beat provides the foundation for this thudding heavy rocker. I really like the synth work on this track which has a rapidly whirling UFO sound. But I especially like the way the synths morph and phase themselves like a shifting sine wave. "Repair Your ID" blends smoothly into the 11 minute "Osiris (The Awakening)". A slow dramatic buildup of chanting vocals, voice samples, space synths, and guitar effects soon launches into one of the few full band (four musicians) songs on the disc. An intense metallic space freakout tune, this is the most powerful track on the CD and my hands down favorite.
A couple tracks that are a little different are "Space Race" and "Sacred Plants". "Space Race" is a solo piece from Martyn Needham whom many of you may know from Dr. Hasbeen. It's an electronic tune with a dancey beat and reminds me a bit of Harvey Bainbridge's solo works. I'm guessing this was written some time ago as throughout the track a voice sample talks of the cold war between the USA and the now-defunct USSR escalating into the space. (Or maybe Martyn thinks the Russians are still interested or can afford to do that.) Finally, "Sacred Plants" is totally unlike anything I've heard from Spacehead, being a DJ techno trance tune with a swirling spacey edge.
In summary, Explode Into Space is classic Spacehead, offering no more or less than previous efforts. That is, if you liked In Space We Trust than you're guaranteed to enjoy this one. And like In Space We Trust, it is intended as a preview to the long overdue studio follow-up to the first Spacehead CD, Of Stars And Time, and will be titled Escape Velocity. There aren't a lot of bands playing kick ass heavy SPACE rock so grab this and get yourself a full slab of the truly cosmic and brain pounding stuff.
Reviewed by Jerry Kranitz
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Rhythm & Booze - UK
Many, many moons ago in a far off galaxy, I received a copy of "In Space We Trust '95-'98" from Spacehead and now the follow-up pops in throught he PO Box. Fans of Hawkwind need to read no further - just send your money off for this collection of alternative mixes and outtakes of the space-rock heroes. For those of you not convinced, the likes of 'Monolith Continuum' might just sway your opinion. Synth s making strange waves of sound circling the very fabric of the sound as guitars, bass and drums create a mantra of sound that is half-mumbled over the top,giving the whole sound an other-worldly feel. Or perhaps you went to the sample-laden 'Aliens' or even perhaps the beat- and DJ-friendly final track 'Sacred Planets', a track that yuo could find your local DJ dropping into a set if he had any kind of taste. Spacehead are perfect for anyone who wanta to take that intergalactic journey and boldly listen to something different.
WILL MUNN in RHYTHM & BOOZE MAG, UK - another triumph!
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The Organ Magazine,10th February 2002
SPACEHEAD - "Explode Into Space" (Dead EarnestCD66)
Switched on tuned out tuned in space rock from some inner city unit somewhere on the edge of time. Spacehead are very very Hawkwind indeed, Hawkwind with a slightly punky Mournblade/Underground Zero/Tubulah Dog D.I.Y vibe. Classic Festi space-punk earfood, a Krel offshoot who now seem to have
Gong's Graham Clark on board their throbbing forward moving space ship. The second track here is called "Brockstomp" I think that gives you a big enough clue. If you're in to the Hawkwind/Gong oscillating space rock fest-jam wind synth sound then Spacehead do it extremely well.
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Progressions Magazine - USA
Spacehead has the Hawkwind sound down pat. So much so, that when my wife came into the living room asking "Which Hawkwind CD is that?" I actually went to look.
Throbbing bass, spacey synth playing, violin on the newer tracks, In Space We Trust has it all, even spoken-word bits that sound like some eerie combination of Nik Turner and Harvey Bainbridge. While unfair to burden such a talented bunch of musicians with a "sounds just like" label, one cannot deny the similarities.
This live collection is rounded out by a studio remix of "Space Junk", a track that would fit in well at a trance club. Electronic drums and repetitive sound bits anchor this slice of psychedelia. Original? Hardly. Satisfying? You betcha. As good an argument for stylistic prog as I've yet to hear.
BILL KNISPEL. (Progressions Magazine - USA)
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Rhythm & Booze - UK
Yes, you've got it right, Spacehead are another space-rock band; yes again, they have that Hawkwind sound, and yes it is bloody good.
This is a summary of the band from their first album, up to the end of '98. The first few tracks are from the "Anasazi" album, and start off with samples and a booming bass sound, and then goes into classic area Hawkwind. The songs are all very strong, the music superb, the swirling keyboards are in full effect and the guitars sound entrancing.
The next six tracks feature ex-Gong musician Graham Clark, who adds violin to some of the tracks, and that brings a whole new sound to the band without losing any of the bands identity. Also, Krel member Martin M. is featured as a guest musician. This all adds up to the hotpot of soundscapes, and shows off the talent of these musicians.
The one track that really stood out on this album was the bonus track "Space Junk"(Blacked out limo mix), which is a really interesting remix that shows another side to the band, and hearing this remix, you imagine what some of the other tracks would sound like remixed. The remix adds more to the sound without losing any of Spacehead's space rock brilliance.
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Classic Rock - UK
Fans of Hawkwind and Gong will feel immediately at home with the sounds and scope of Spacehead. This is space rock that draws inspiration from the heroes of the past, yet also takes the whole event on a contemporary trip.
"In Space We Trust" is a compilation of tracks recorded over a three year period. It has a fascinating, resonant approach that envelops, explores and expands the mind.
A CD that will appeal to those who enjoy losing themselves on unpredictable music from a psychedelic moonbeam. (You what?- Ed). MALCOLM DOME.
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Music & Elsewhere - UK
So, a second signing for Andy Garibaldi's most promising label. First he gets the mighty Krel, now he gets Hawkwind's most famous and best loved roadie Mr. Dibs, and crewmembers.
Is there much point in telling you about Spacehead? You probably know them already, they had the "...of Stars and Time CD release on the Emergency Broadcast System label a few years back, sound familiar?
Okay, for those who've been out of the Alpha Quadrant for the last decade, Spacehead are the most likely successors as Masters of the Universe when Dave Brock picks up his bus pass (don't panic, Hawkfans, it's only a joke!)
Spacehead aren't quite the same moulds as the mighty Hawks though. Whilst the chanted vocals may seem familiar and the synth effects (come on, there are limits to the sound FX you can make with old analogue synths!), ya gets much heavier drumming and EXTREMELY dirty guitar.
Suitably trippy (not that we're suggesting anything illegal, you understand), psyched submerged guitar work, clips and samples, dirt and heaviness. Violin comes courtesy of Graham Clark (ex-Gong), who's more in he vein of Jean-Luc Ponty than Simon House, bit jazzier. Noisy buggers!
Pretty damn good, as live stuff goes. but I'll bet it sounded much better if you were there, it always does. Must search out the EBS release, if just for my private collection. Recommended for space heads everywhere.
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Aural Innovations - USA
This release from Spacehead is a collection of material recorded since 1996's Of Stars And Time, and features three different line-ups assembled by Mr. Dibs since Phil Howard's' departure from the band. (Phil recorded a cassette release as Cellular Structure and has since formed the band PXR-1). Though not considered the official studio follow-up to Of Stars And Time, it is still a marvelous representation of Spaceheads' Hawkwind style space-rock.
The disc starts on a frightening note with "Mechanoid Dream". Introductory swirling synths provide the background for voicing that tell how in the future robots will do all mankind's work, even clothe and feed us. But then a voice says, "Robots of the world, we command you to murder mankind!" And the tune launches into a standard Spacehead blitzkrieg. Bashing space guitars, bubbling synths, thumping bass line, and Mr. Dibs' dark vocal style. "Mechanoid Dream" doesn't really end, but blends into "Dark Star", Spacehead's version of the Krel tune (both Dibs and Phil were members of Krel). I haven't heard the Krel original so I can't compare, but it doesn't matter 'cause Spacehead rocks out at a frantic pace on this tune.
These and the next two tracks ("Third Age of Magic" and "Spiral Tribes") are both from the cassette only release "Anasazi", and feature the lineup of Mr. Dibs on vocals, bass, samples and effects, Will Brazier-Smith on guitar, Paul Boers on drums, and Gavin Maelstrom on keyboards. The style is very much like Of Stars and Time though I think Will B-S's guitar playing us much better and stretches out more than heard on the first CD.
The next six tracks were recorded 10/20/97 when Spacehead were opening for Hawkwind and feature a new lineup of Mr. Dibs, Paul Boers, ex-Gong member Graham Clark on violin and gliss guitar, and Krel's Martin M. guesting on keyboards. The addition of Clark's violin brings Spacehead into a different direction, and , to this listener, is their best material yet. The basic Spacehead sound is intact, but Clark's crack violin playing featured as lead instrument makes the music far more exciting and brings a new level of musical proficiency to the band. Spacehead hasn't lost their heavy raw edge, but the addition of the violin is an interesting and welcome change. Listen to "Astroman" here and on Of Stars and Time and judge for yourself. Probably my favorite tracks on the disc are "Upside Jam" and "Aero Pharaohs", two parts of what are essentially one tune. "Upside Jam" is just a two minute instrumental that features a smokin' violin journey backed by a jamming rhythm section and cosmic space synths. It blends into Pharaohs which continues the jam for a while until becoming a song that has a basic riff that sounds a lot like Golden Void.
The final two tracks are a cover of Hawkwind's "Where Are They Now?" and a bonus track ("Space Junk") which I believe is a newer studio tune. This lineup consists of Dibs and Clark, plus Ken Jones on drums and Nick Aitch on samples and effects. "Space Junk" is unlike anything I've heard from Spacehead. It's an electronic piece with an industrial edge and a hint of techno. Interesting.
This is essential listening for Hawkwind fans, as Spacehead do wonders with the heavy Hawk style of space-rock.(Aural Innovations - USA)
Reviews For 'Out Of Space' CD by Krel
The following, are the reviews from various magazines worldwide, for the Krel CD 'Out Of Space'. They have been reprinted as written. The Krel momentum continues.......
So let's hear what they have to say............
KREL Out Of Space (Dead Earnest) - A collection of new and old (and the lost Shed Sessions and live tracks from the Teepee tour) from Krel. Very very Hawkwind indeed - that no bad thing, theye always had a good slice of the spirit of the age no mere android replica playing up again. Krel have been hovering around the very healthy space rock/free festival circuit doing their much loved thing for fifteen years or so now. Without really bringing anything that massively different to the androids dreaming of electric sheep they race down to Motorway City with more than enough space rock style to keep your average lab-coat wearing idiot dance more than happy. Timeless locked-on space travel, tangerine dreams, that pulsing synth under the skin of the pod warm inviting and deeper and deeper in to the white void, the silver machine is so hard to destroy. Yes indeed, rather fine space rock. www.deadearnest.btinternet.co.uk
SEAN WORRALL for ORGAN magazine (UK) online and in print - good one, Sean!!!
"Out Of Space" has a guilty secret. While it may appear to be a new record, its roots actually lie in unreleased studio and live songs from '92, which have, in turn, been cleverly grafted to some newer material, to provide an alternative aural journey. Or so the story goes. But to be perfectly honest, unless you were already familiar with the originals you would never have guessed because it sounds like a brand new album rather than a patchwork quilt of old off-cuts. Anyway, if the title was not a blatant giveaway Krel revels in mind bending, hallucinogenic and guitar driven music with a fair helping of synths and samples. The hard-hitting contrast riddled throughout the record is like drifting in and out of the eye of the storm. Thus, even "Androids" and "Star Of Last", which appear rough on the surface, at times, melt into far-flung soloing. Lengthy, trippy jams, like "It's Alive" and "Space Trip" rise and fall akin to the orgasmic Liquid Sound Company experience. Similarly, "Release" and "Golden Tether" are dark, otherworldly soundscapes whereas "Barricades" just rocks relentlessly. If the words, wind and hawk, register in your mind then this is your calling.
DANNY ANGUS at PARIAH CHILD fanzine
Out of Timehei unpktlich, nicht mehr in der Zeit; ut of Jobhei keinen Job mehr haben. Dann mste Out of Space ja eigentlich nicht mehr im Weltall bedeuten. Krel sind also gelandet. Sie beehren unseren Planeten. Was Out of Space aber auf gar keinen Fall hei, dass man nichts mehr mit dem pacetun haben will.
Kein rechtes Booklet gibt wenige Information. Die Weltall-Ne aber zeigen die ff zum Teil langhaarigen - Gestalten, die im Booklet in Orangefarbenen Raumanzen stehen. Und der Planet in dessen Umlaufbahn die Space-Rocker am liebsten kreisen, knte die ilver Machinesein. Zwar bleibt man Htetechnisch immer diesseits des Hawkwind-Klassikers, verabschiedet sich gelegentlich sogar in wabernde Soundscapes, die er gar keinen Rhythmus oder eine Melodie mehr verfen, aber der Grundansatz scheint immer wieder durch.
Somit dfte eins klar sein, wer das Raumschiff Krel besteigt, bewegt sich weniger im Raum, als in der Zeit und entschwebt in die 70er Jahre, die Zeit, in der die experimentelle Musik noch einen Teil ihrer Unschuld bewahrt hatte.
Norbert Von Fransecky for AN SICH web magazine, Germany
This is the latest release of the spacerock band Krel. The music is comprised of live material from 1992 when they were the support act for Hawkwind on the Electric Tepee tour (I saw that tour and Krel were great, so you can expect good stuff from the live elements on this CD), old studio recordings, and newer music from the present Krel lineup. This has all been mixed so that it is very hard to tell which music is from which session. The quality of the live recordings is very good; no bootleg quality here. As for the music it varies between cosmic synths like the opening track"Mober", to full on heavy spacerock a la Hawkwind: "Barricades" and "Star of Last". Some people have said that Krell sound more Hawkwind than Hawkwind. This is a little unfair since the Hawks themselves don't sound much like classic spacerock, in so far as their studio albums are concerned and the music of Krel goes along way to filling that gap. If you want your spacerock to be filled with blazing guitar riffs, heavy bass, space oscillations, oceans of cosmic synths and Huw-Lloyd Langton style psychedelic leads then look no further. "Out of Space" has all this and great dynamics as the tracks soar and build. Some of my favourites included "Androids"and "Space Trip" with its soaring guitar intro. This is not "Space Ritual" but its a universe ahead of "Distant Horizons",a great addition to any space rock fan's collection.
DD for SEQUENCES Issue 30 in the UK
Martin M. is an English guitarist/keyboardist/singer who a die-hard Hawkwind fan. At the end of the 80 he founded a band called Krel with his friends to play some mind blowing space rock. Mr. Dibs, who now also works as Hawkwind stage technician and is better known for his own band Spacehead, has also played in Krel. The band released several cassettes with a bit different line-ups before Andy Garibaldi started his Dead Earnest label to put out the first Krel CD Ad Astra in 1997. Ad Astra, that can be considered more or less as Martin solo album with some guests, is perhaps the best space rock that was released in the 90 by anyone except Hawkwind.
Out of Space, this new and long awaited Krel release includes newer and older material in a good 50/50 balance. There are both spacey synthesizer ambient tracks with samples and heavy rocking stuff on it, but all of it is suitably psychedelic. Some of the music is unreleased stuff from the early 90, both studio and live from the time they were successfully supporting Hawkwind on their tour. I must say that I really like to see the whole band record a brand new album in a good studio, but this combination of archive material and new stuff works very well too.
Hawkwind is naturally the most obvious reference point to the music, but I think Krel has a style of their own, although very similar to Spacehead. Fans of for example Ozric Tentacles will also find interesting parts here, for sure. Some of the best tracks are the long, hypnotic psych jam t Alivewith plenty of spacey effects and a real Hawkwind style spacerocker pace Tripreminding me of agnuby Hawkwind.
I can warmly recommend this excellent CD for all space rock fans.
PSYCHOTROPIC Webzine Review 28.02.05 by Dj Astro
Das Bester, was das All zu bieten hat! Na ja, vielleicht nicht ganz, aber immerhin das Beste, was das Archiv von Krel, den britischen Spacerock-Uberfliegern von 1995, zu bieten hat 1995 erschien das Debut "Ad Astra" und schlug ein wie ein Meteroit. Ahnliches Potential besitzt auch das neue Werk "Out Of Space", welches altes Material von 1992 (die lange unveroffentlichten "Shed"-sessions) mit Live-Tracks (im Vorprogramm von Hawkwind eingespielt) und einigen brandneuen Studioaufnahmen verbindet in der Tat fallt es schwer, die zwolf Tracks ihrem jewelligen. Ursprung zuzuordnen, da "Out Of Space" erstaunlicherweise wie aus einem Guss klingt. Krel haben ihre straksten Momente wenn sie ruhige Stucke ("The Visit"), oder gar nur spharische Soundscapes ("Mober", "Golden Tether" oder "Release") prasentieren doch augh die schnellere angart mit firrenden Gitarrenriffs und -soli, atherischen Vocals sowie wirbeinden Synthies ( wie in "Space Trip" oder "It's Alive")beherrschen sie.
An einigen wenigen Stellen hakt die produktionsqualitat etwas, doch "Out Of Space" hinterlasst einen auberordentlich positiven Eindruck, vieilleicht auch weil alle Songs ineinander ubergehen und so den Horer auf eine zusammenhangende Reise in die unendlichen Weiten entschweben lassen.
BERND SIEVERS for ECLIPSED magazine, Germany - Issue 69
Ah, Hawkwind - my all time favourite band in an all time favourite kind of way. Granted, ill health has kept me from following them around the country on tour this year, so I need to get my kicks in a housebound manner. And in the absence of new Hawkwind music, what better than a new collection of Krel tunes.
And I say collection, because it's not really a new album, with a mixture of unreleased studio and live songs from the band formerly known as the Purple Otter Trotters, who made their name playing a Travellers Aid Trust gig in Manchester and releasing a low-key tape of Hawkwind covers. So deranged hippies it is. You also know you're in hippy territory when an audio album credits someone for dance and mime!
"Barricades" gives you a Margaret Thatcher sample in between the wibbly wobbly synths and driving guitars, which are based in late 70s / early 80s Hawkwind, when Dave Brock was at his riffmeister best. Elsewhere, they go for the trippy jams approach, especially on the rather obviously titled "Space Trip". Sometimes they go for the Ozric Tentacles approach, but they rarely stray far from the guitar driven space rock template created by Mr Brock. Having said that, if you're going to be derivative, then steal from the best, so I'm a happy man. There's nothing better than a forceful psychedelic guitar sound, swirling through the speakers. The production values are a bit hit and miss, but I doubt any major conglomerates are sitting around waiting for a psychedelic space rock revival, so needs must.
SPACEROCK.CO.UK webzine/Added: May 2nd 2005/Reviewer: Stuart aka Zeitgeist/Score: 4/5
Krel-Out Of Space [Dead Earnest]
Dieses Album entht unverfentlichte Stke aus dem Jahre 1992 sowie Livematerial der britischen Spacerocker von ihrem Toursupport von Hawkwind. Hinzu kommen einige neue Studiotracks. Trotz der wilden Mischung klingt das Album wie aus einem Guss. Ab stksten sind Krel, wenn sie ganz ruhige Stke oder auch nur Soundscapes prentieren wie etwa "The Visit", "GoldenTether" oder "Release". Hier bekommt ihre Musik etwas Entrktes und Hypnotisches und erinnert an die fren Pink Floyd oder, wenn Rhythmen dominieren, an Can. Eine sehr gelungene Reise durch die unendlichen Weiten des Alls.
JOE ASMODO for AHA (Germany)
This release from 2005 mixes live recordings and studio sessions to produce 54 minutes of dazzling space rock. Krel is: Martin M, Mr Dibs, Floyd, and Mike Man. Esoteric electronics spin in a pulsating darkness, like orbiting satellites incorporating catches of radio programs, NASA signals and other stratospheric flotsam. This astral intro explodes into a display of sturdy hard rock with pounding drums, squealing guitar, and subdermal basslines. Krel voyage back to Earth has begun.
Vigorous percussion surges and refuses to abate. Rhythms unfurl with manic determination, defining luscious tangles of emotional tempos that offer more than adequate propulsion to achieve escape velocity. Savage guitar licks split the air with their emphatic cries. Riffs spiral and twirl, generating an ascending enthusiasm that seethes with otherworldly airs. Some of these riffs belong to the teeth-gritting variety, while others (sliding steel and delicate strumming) explore fascinating fugues of delivery to higher consciousness. The bass rumbles from subatomic origins, spreading visceral vibrations throughout the dynamic music like an infection, unseen but not unfelt. Supported by a crooning chorus, the vocals are manly and adventurous. The voice rings with the authority of a space cruiser commander who has witnessed stars collapse and planets blossom from stellar ejecta. His urgent lyrics communicate deep secrets of coping with zero gravity, while softer passages lovingly recall things that have yet to happen. The electronics ooze from unnoticed niches in the tight compositions, spilling forth with a bevy of trembling oscillations and gurgling cosmic bubbles.
As with most space rock, a vibrant Hawkwind milieu is undeniably present. But Krel reaches farther, forcing their own style on the music and delivering upheavals of gritty stamina glistening with alien slime and twitching long-range antennae.
MATT HOWARTH for SONIC CURIOSITY webzine (he of the spectacular album covers and general amazing artwork)
Taking the lead from the masters of the genre, Hawkwind, Krel play blitzed out space rock with great heart and soul. Although there are huge echoes of Mr Brock and Co, the band do leave an imprint of their own as they adapt electronic music to their needs as well. At times it is almost like an amalgam of Hawkwind and Tangerine Dream as the band adopts a more robotic approach, in a good way that is! The overall effect works well, the music is well played and inventive, and what's more it was all done live at Manchester Apollo and Liverpool Playhouse. Who knows, you might even have been there!
BERNARD LAW for CLASSIC ROCK SOCIETY (UK) Issue 147
2005 o Grande-Bretagne Krel est le groupe d'un seul album, l'excellent Ad astra paru en 1995. L'histoire de Krel est intimement li celle de Hawkwind puisque dans leur premie cassette demo, ils enregistrent plusieurs reprises de ce groupe. Ils se retrouvent alement en premie partie de leur show en 1992. Out of space contient plusieurs morceaux de cette tourn, coupl avec des titres de studio de 1992 et d'autres beaucoup plus rents. Bien malin qui peut dire l'ann de chaque morceau ; mais la datation de la tracking-list est somme toute secondaire car le fil conducteur de l'album Out of space est justement le space-rock le plus efficace, le plus planant et le plus phudepuis Hawkwind. Pour la petite histoire, Nick Turner et Dave Brock amenent au sein d'Hawkwind l'influence de la littature de sciencefiction tandis que la musique, constitu de longues improvisations, mait diffents bruitages ectroniques, le saxo free de Turner, les solos de guitare quasi heavy mal de Lenny, les deloppements psychiques de Del Dettmar au synthiseur et les imprations du poe-chanteur Robert Calvert qui plus tarddeviendra fou. Rappelons qu'Hawkwind a grandement influencle parcours musical du mare Steve Wilson de Porcupine Tree. Krel va reprendre son compte la recette et delopper cet univers avec une maestria rare, en digne successeur. Les synth et les bruitages ectroniques se taillent la part du lion et dans cet opus de douze titres qui alterne les moments les plus planants (le superbe release) avec une ergie de brutes venues de l'espace (Androids). On ne s'ennuie pas une seconde et pour votreserviteur qui n'est pas un inconditionnel du space-rock (malgrle fait d'avoir adoren son temps le Space Ritual de Hawkwind), il faut reconnare que Out of space est bien joliment ficelet bigrement efficace. Ce CD nous permet donc de sortir de notre bien aimrock progressif influence symphonique pour douvrir de nouvelles contrs pleines de surprises, de rythmes en apesanteur et de fureur contenue.
RAYMOND SERINI at HARMONIE Magazine, France
Krel's stock-in trade is psychedelic space-rock, not at all unlike that of the original Hawkwind (albeit without the sax), a band who they have opened for numerous times and even toured with on the '92 "Teepee" tour.The five piece (plus two dancers) has been around since the late 1980's, at first releasing a number of cassete albums amid headline and supporting gigs in their native England. The band features Radar Dave (guitars), Mr Dibs (bass), Floyd (synth) and Mike Man (drums), with afifth memebr (founder Martin M.), split bewteen guitars and synths, nearly all the members sharing vocals.Their first CD, "Ad Astra" was released on Dead Earnest in '95; nearly ten years later, 'Out Of Space" is their second, The material here is not all new, however - some of it is from unreelased studio sessions and live gigs from around '92, the remainder being new recordings, and of course there's nothing in the liner notes stating which songs are old, new, studio, live, etc, and it's produced well enough that one can't really tell (ED: "that was the whole idea!!!").The twelve tracks ebb and flow between heady and aggressive space-rockers with blazing guitars, and more laid-back, synth-driven numbers nearly void of rhythm.Key to this, however, is that all are joined seamlessly into one lengthy continuum lasting nearly an hour. Hawkfans old and new, as well as fans of Hillage-era Gong and Ozrics, will likely find Krel's brand of manic, spacy, driving rock to their liking.
PETER THELEN for EXPOSE MAGAZINE, USA - Issue 31 (getting his facts totally wrong re Ad Astra, but we'll forgive him)
KREL. Out Of Space. Dead Earnest Records DERNCD55. I guess any band in this style will either be pissed off, or highly delighted by the comparisons they get to Hawkwind. It's a bad generalisation in some ways, but it is a good place to start. Arguably, y'see, Hawkwind were the first to get the right balance of synth, atmosphere, imagery and lyrics, of which combined, created space rock. As one might guess, though, there are many different styles, again, a few covered by Hawkwind originally, such as guitar led and synth led, and ambient. Krel seem to manage a pretty good balance inbetween, capturing the snazzier and dreamier ambient styles, and sticking some (almost) classic period Hawkwind rock inbetween. It goes without saying that Krel are certainly keeping the 'classic' Hawkwind sound alive, obviously not copying, but in many ways enhancing. If Hawkwind hadn't maybe gone off the true Space Rock rails for a period, then Krel is probably what they'd have sounded like. A subtle mix of studio and live tracks, featuring such stella songs as the massive 16 minute plus It's Alive, the superbly ambient Mober, Space Trip and Trees. Lush stuff.
Dave W for MODERN DANCE MAGAZINE, UK (www.modern-dance.co.uk) - Issue 50 (and online too!!)
This is an unusual album, as although it isn't stated in the rather sparse 4 page booklet, the recordings themselves have been taken from different sources and then put together in a fashion that sounds like brand new music. Some of it is taken from material recorded on the 1992 'Electric Tepee' tour where they supported Hawkwind, as well as old studio recordings and newer music recorded by the current line-up. It has been mooted that the holders of the true space rock crown are no longer Hawkwind, but Krel, and one can certainly hear where that argument has some justification. Songs like "Star Of Last" combine both delicate guitar solos and pounding space rhythms with the vocalists vying for attention as it pounds through and into the brain.
There are times when it doesn't come through exactly as it should, but there are others where it works perfectly and the result is a fine album indeed for those who enjoy this style of music. There are plenty of synths as well as a full on rock band and while some of the jams may not always be as powerful as they could the overall result is well worth investigation.
Review courtesy of Kev Rowland for FEEDBACK MAGAZINE, UK - issue 87. Contact feedbackfanzine@hotmail.com.
If you've been hankering after some classic Hawkwind, then this new release from Krel should certainly hit the spot! In 1992, Krel supported Hawkwind on their ELECTRIC TEPEE tour, winning over audiences every night with their heady brand of space-rock. At the time Krel consisted of Martin M. (guitar, synths), Radar Dave (guitar), Mr. Dibs (bass), Floyd (synths) with drummer Mike Mann and a couple of dancers completing the line-up. (Mr Dibs since formed his own, similarly Hawkwind influenced band, called Spacehead).
OUT OF SPACE is a superb collection of previously unreleased live recordings from the tour and studio material dating from the same period. Martin has also inserted some brand new material, merging it seamlessly with the vintage recordings. In fact, apart from a slightly poorer sound quality on a couple of the live numbers, it's hard to tell which is which. After a suitably cosmic opening number, Barricades launches spaceship Krel into outer space in classic Hawkwind fashion (circa LEVITATION). This is first-class, guitar-driven space rock with plenty of spacey synths, and a riff worthy of Brock and co. Star Of Last and It's Alive continue the onslaught, delivering some soaring guitar solos along the way. (Its not quite up there with SPACE RITUAL, but it's definitely heading in the right direction!) We get to float for a while in Zero G, a short, almost laid-back jazzy piece, before Androids explodes on the scene (which, in keeping with the albums sci-fi tone, inevitably begs the question; "Do androids dream of electric sheep?"). A few spacey synth based instrumentals follow, taking us deeper and deeper into the cosmos until a countdown forewarns the arrival of Space Trip, an out and out assault on the senses, strongly reminiscent of Hawkwind's Magnu off WARRIOR ON THE EDGE OF TIME. Trees offers a brief interlude, and then what can best be described as a couple of minutes of barely controlled chaos closes the album. Welcome to the Future..?
Review for AUDION (UK) Issue 51 (Spring 2006) by DAVE GRIFFITH
Het wordt al snel duidelijk waar Krel haar intergalactische mosterd vandaan haalt en wel van het moederschip Hawkwind. Sterker nog, Krel heeft menigmaal in het begin van de jaren negentig geopend voor de aartsvaders en Hawkwind's space captian Dave Brock rekende Krel zelfs tot zijn favoriete bands, voorwaar geen slechte aanbeveling! De mosterd is van de oude varieit, uit de beginperiode van Hawkwind: up-tempo nummers met heerlijk rampestampend drumwerk en snijdend en gierend gitaarwerk. De zang lijkt als twee druppels water op die van Brock en de gitaar op die van mijn favoriete gitarist Huw Lloyd-Langton dus dat kan niet beter. Out of Space is een compilatie van oefensessies voor de helaas nooit uitgebrachte tweede LP van de band en van enkele live-optredens en ik ben zeer blij dat dit materiaal alsnog uitkomt. Sommige hypnotiserende nummers hadden van mij nog langer mogen duren want een dergelijk goede spacetrip, daar kan je geen nee tegen zeggen. Space on, man!
VETTE KRENT ANDRE DE WAAL foriO PAGES magazine (Netherlands) making it his "Vette Krent" or "Pick Of The Month"!!
From soniccuriosity.com This release from 2005 mixes live recordings and studio sessions to produce 54 minutes of dazzling space rock.
Krel is: Martin M, Mr Dibs, Floyd, Radio Dave and Mike Man.
Esoteric electronics spin in a pulsating darkness, like orbiting satellites incorporating catches of radio programs, NASA signals and other stratospheric flotsam. This astral intro explodes into a display of sturdy hard rock with pounding drums, squealing guitar, and subdermal basslines. Krel voyage back to Earth has begun.
Vigorous percussion surges and refuses to abate. Rhythms unfurl with manic determination, defining luscious tangles of emotional tempos that offer more than adequate propulsion to achieve escape velocity.
Savage guitar licks split the air with their emphatic cries. Riffs spiral and twirl, generating an ascending enthusiasm that seethes with otherworldly airs. Some of these riffs belong to the teeth-gritting variety, while others (sliding steel and delicate strumming) explore fascinating fugues of delivery to higher consciousness.
The bass rumbles from subatomic origins, spreading visceral vibrations throughout the dynamic music like an infection, unseen but not unfelt.
Supported by a crooning chorus, the vocals are manly and adventurous. The voice rings with the authority of a space cruiser commander who has witnessed stars collapse and planets blossom from stellar ejecta. His urgent lyrics communicate deep secrets of coping with zero gravity, while softer passages lovingly recall things that have yet to happen.
The electronics ooze from unnoticed niches in the tight compositions, spilling forth with a bevy of trembling oscillations and gurgling cosmic bubbles.
As with most space rock, a vibrant Hawkwind milieu is undeniably present. But Krel reaches farther, forcing their own style on the music and delivering upheavals of gritty stamina glistening with alien slime and twitching long-range antennae.
From Aural Innovations #30 (February 2005)
Krel's Ad Astra was the first release on Andy G's Dead Earnest label and Out Of Space is the long awaited follow-up, consisting of tracks from the unreleased 1992 Shed Studio sessions, live tracks from their tour opening for Hawkwind in 1992, plus newer material. I've been waiting impatiently for this to be released and I'm pleased to report it was more than worth waiting for.
"Mober" is a deep in the cosmos intro track that spends 5 minutes building an edge-of-your-seat sense that any minute something is going to explode. And indeed it does"Barricades" is a monstrous rocking space rock track with Mr. Dibs on vocals that could easily be a Spacehead tune. This is heavier than anything I recall from Ad Astra (I believe Ad Astra consists of music recorded after Dibs left). Personally I love this heavy stuff. Hawk rock of the highest order. A real highlight along these lines is the nearly 10 minute "It's Alive", an outstanding jam tune with rocking and wailing space guitars, trademark bubbly gurgly UFO synths and a throbbing, rocking, mind-bending power drive. Wowa fantastic track. "Zero G" is a short, easier paced instrumental with a deep space Pink Floyd-Tangerine Dream combination feel and touches of Blues guitar. "The Visit", "Golden Tether" and "Release" are a trio of keyboard dominated tracks, with "Release" in particular sounding like a Harvey Bainbridge journey. And for just damn good songs the spotlight shines brightly on "Star Of Last", "Androids" and "Space Trip". In summary, Krel couldn't be deeper in Hawkwind territory but they do it oh so beautifully. Absolutely yummy cosmic and completely mind massaging SPACE ROCK. Highest recommendation.
Reviewed by Jerry Kranitz
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